There are just three games remaining in the Super Sixes stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, and yet the tournament is still wide open as five teams are still capable of finishing in the top two and thereby qualifying for the main event.
All teams have now played two of their three matches in the Super Sixes. The final three games left in this round are:
* Windies v Scotland, Wednesday 21 March
* UAE v Zimbabwe, Thursday 22 March
* Ireland v Afghanistan, Friday 23 March
Of these teams, only UAE have no chance of taking one of the two qualifying spots. Here’s what each of the other teams needs to do to ensure qualification.
AFGHANISTAN
Status: 4 points – they’re fifth in the table with four points, behind Ireland on net run rate
If they win: Even if Afghanistan win, they aren’t assured of qualification unless other results go their way. Their poor net run rate is also a concern
If Zimbabwe win, that’s the end of their hopes, as a win won’t matter.
If Zimbabwe lose, and Windies win their game, Afghanistan will qualify along with the two-time World Cup winners
If Zimbabwe lose, and Windies lose, a win will put Afghanistan level on points with Windies, and it will come down to net run rate, where they have significant ground to make up
If they lose: A loss will put an end to their World Cup dreams
WINDIES
Status: 6 points – they’re currently top of the table
If they win: They will qualify with 8 points
If they lose: Scotland will go through as one of the qualifiers. Yet, all is not lost for Windies
If Zimbabwe win against UAE, Windies are out of the running
If, however, Zimbabwe lose, Windies will be tied on six points with the winner of the Ireland v Afghanistan match and it will come down to net run rate
SCOTLAND
Status: 5 points – they’re level on points with Zimbabwe, but third in the table based on net run rate
If they win: They will qualify with 7 points
If they lose: Windies will qualify and Scotland are out of the running
ZIMBABWE
Status: 5 points – they’re second in the table after one win and one loss
If they win: They will qualify with 7 points, along with the winner of Windies v Scotland
If they lose: It’s all or nothing for Zimbabwe – lose and they're out. As Brendan Taylor said, this is as good as a final
IRELAND
Status: 4 points – they’re fourth in the table on four points
If they win: Even if they win, Ireland need a lot of results to go their way
If Zimbabwe win, even an Ireland win will not help them
If Zimbabwe lose, and Windies win their game, Ireland will qualify with the Windies
If Zimbabwe lose, and Windies also lose, Ireland will need a better net run rate than Jason Holder’s men to join Scotland
If they lose: Losing is not an option if they want to progress
Finally, to summarize, here are the seven possible combinations of qualifying pairs. It's everything to play for!
Windies, Zimbabwe
Windies, Ireland
Windies, Afghanistan
Scotland, Windies
Zimbabwe, Scotland
Scotland, Ireland
Scotland, Afghanistan